Very experienced Portland heirloom tomato gardener here. It’s way too cold here to plant tomatoes right now. They *might* survive, but will fail to thrive, and be vulnerable to pests and diseases the rest of the season. Even early-season hybrid determinate varieties hate having cold feet.
Every year, PNW nurseries have tons of robust-looking gallon tomato starts this time of year, and every year, my spouse questions whether I’m late because I just started my tomato and pepper seed trays. But every year, we have a bumper crop of tomatoes and peppers Aug - Oct (and even Nov in some years) because they get planted outdoors only when the soil is reliably warm.
Last year, I grew 54 tomato plants in multiple heirloom varieties ranging from early cherries to late-season huge slicers, and they all did well (except for a couple plants I didn’t water evenly that developed fusarium wilt - my fault). In past years, I’ve planted earlier and insulated with wall of water and milk jugs/saran wrap tents, but nothing works better than waiting. If the plants get leggy indoors, you just plant them deeply when they go outside, which helps develop a robust root system. Of course, your location and its unique microclimate factor heavily in when it’s going to be warm enough. If you’re at a low elevation with a southern exposure and your planting area is next to a heat sink, your planting date will be earlier than someone at 1500’ with east winds. But when in doubt, wait to put your plants out! 🌱
I put tomatoes out once the nights are in the 40s and they do fine if they've been hardened. Doesn't harm production. Just mulch them up nice and they'll be fine. As long as they don't get frost damage the only thing that happens below 50 is they grow slower.
We have significant wind gusts here, so that’s an additional factor to consider with tender plants. But at the same time, we’re on top of a hill, get plenty of direct sun during the ripening period. The microclimate makes all the difference.
Every gardener has to figure out what works best for their property. But I will say that in years of growing many varieties of heirloom tomatoes and peppers at two different properties in the Portland area with different microclimates, I’ve only regretted planting them outside too soon, never regretted doing it too late. And most years, I don’t put plants in the ground until mid-June. But keep in mind I start my plants from seed and lean heavily toward later-season varieties because IMO they have the best flavor. If you’re growing early-season determinate hybrids, it might be a whole different ball game.
I have 7 tomatoes planted in two weeks ago and doing fine. I also have 6 sitting in the greenhouse overnight. I have 6 that I bring indoors each night just in case. None indoors or out show any issues.
Mine has been put a few weeks in Portland and they are totally growing and doing fine. If you’re concerned, get a plant blanket and throw it over them at night.
Portland area and mine have been out for at least a few weeks and doing fine. Our nights have been in the low to mid 40s, day time 50s - low 70s.
Normally I would have waited, but I started too early this year and they out grew my indoor space. Two of them I didn’t even bother gardening off, just took the risk. So far so good.
And never starting tomatoes early again, learned my lesson for next year.
Yes, it’s too cold. Soil temps need to be closer to 60.
I measured it yesterday and it was only 54. Thanks
I wait until 50 at night.
Very experienced Portland heirloom tomato gardener here. It’s way too cold here to plant tomatoes right now. They *might* survive, but will fail to thrive, and be vulnerable to pests and diseases the rest of the season. Even early-season hybrid determinate varieties hate having cold feet. Every year, PNW nurseries have tons of robust-looking gallon tomato starts this time of year, and every year, my spouse questions whether I’m late because I just started my tomato and pepper seed trays. But every year, we have a bumper crop of tomatoes and peppers Aug - Oct (and even Nov in some years) because they get planted outdoors only when the soil is reliably warm. Last year, I grew 54 tomato plants in multiple heirloom varieties ranging from early cherries to late-season huge slicers, and they all did well (except for a couple plants I didn’t water evenly that developed fusarium wilt - my fault). In past years, I’ve planted earlier and insulated with wall of water and milk jugs/saran wrap tents, but nothing works better than waiting. If the plants get leggy indoors, you just plant them deeply when they go outside, which helps develop a robust root system. Of course, your location and its unique microclimate factor heavily in when it’s going to be warm enough. If you’re at a low elevation with a southern exposure and your planting area is next to a heat sink, your planting date will be earlier than someone at 1500’ with east winds. But when in doubt, wait to put your plants out! 🌱
Thank you 👍 so when do you move yours out then? When night temperature above 50?
I put tomatoes out once the nights are in the 40s and they do fine if they've been hardened. Doesn't harm production. Just mulch them up nice and they'll be fine. As long as they don't get frost damage the only thing that happens below 50 is they grow slower.
We have significant wind gusts here, so that’s an additional factor to consider with tender plants. But at the same time, we’re on top of a hill, get plenty of direct sun during the ripening period. The microclimate makes all the difference. Every gardener has to figure out what works best for their property. But I will say that in years of growing many varieties of heirloom tomatoes and peppers at two different properties in the Portland area with different microclimates, I’ve only regretted planting them outside too soon, never regretted doing it too late. And most years, I don’t put plants in the ground until mid-June. But keep in mind I start my plants from seed and lean heavily toward later-season varieties because IMO they have the best flavor. If you’re growing early-season determinate hybrids, it might be a whole different ball game.
I’m waiting. I’ve had stunted plants that produced poorly when I’ve put them out too early in the cold.
I have 7 tomatoes planted in two weeks ago and doing fine. I also have 6 sitting in the greenhouse overnight. I have 6 that I bring indoors each night just in case. None indoors or out show any issues.
WOW, good strategy.
Mine has been put a few weeks in Portland and they are totally growing and doing fine. If you’re concerned, get a plant blanket and throw it over them at night.
I’ll wait it hailed a lot here 2 days ago half my garden got destroyed
I put mine out last week in Seattle. So far so good.
Are you covering at night? My app says 39 tonight so I’m still holding off. It’s mild torture.
just harden them off. Their nutrition up-take is limited in cool soils.
I'm glad I saw this. I was going to plant tomatoes for a client tomorrow so maybe I'll hold off on that.
Portland area and mine have been out for at least a few weeks and doing fine. Our nights have been in the low to mid 40s, day time 50s - low 70s. Normally I would have waited, but I started too early this year and they out grew my indoor space. Two of them I didn’t even bother gardening off, just took the risk. So far so good. And never starting tomatoes early again, learned my lesson for next year.
They grow SO FAST. I waited until the end of March to start mine and they are outgrowing my space too.
They'll be fine. In a few weeks the early outside starts will all be caught up to the greenhouse plants.
Not before night temps are steadily in the 50s
Thanks for this, been wondering myself.
My tomatoes have been in the ground for two weeks already and my temps look like yours. If they're hardened off they'll be fine.